Luftwaffe
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2008
- Messages
- 9,544
- Reaction score
- 8
- Country
- Location
Hypothesis: Should China sell J-8II H/F to N. Korea to replace gaining Fleet
Not reliable information but it is estimated N. Korea has as many as 260 mixed Fleet of A-5/F-6/Mig-17 Chinese variant/H-5/SU-7 [without mentioning further Types of Aircrafts]. Downsizing and a capable fleet is a better option at this point of time for N. Korea then putting older types in service endangering pilots and unnecessarily raising huge costs.
Capability wise these aircrafts are severely retarded and can only be used to drop dumb bombs and act as Kamikaze. It seems that J-8/F-8 variants such as H/F are reasonably capable [BVR capability] than any of these 4 types in service with N. Korea. At this time N. Korea need to have more capable aircrafts rather than keeping more numbers of obsolete aircraft as Air Force needs to reduce maintenance issues maintain different types of fleets in service thus to streamline and upgrade the Air Force is need of the hour.
Although China rejected to sell J-10As to N. Korea when Kim visited China but looking at current scenario a provocative Japan and S. Korea shopping spree of equipment, it seems imperative for China to sell some hardware to N. Koreans to upgrade their Air Force at least and help them streamline their Air Force as much as possible. J-8IIH/F is a decent interceptor platform for N. Korea it is a step up from the obsolete vintage aircrafts in service.
Although we do not know the real budget and the money N. Koreans have to pay for anything but most likely most sales to N. Korea by China are aid and short-medium loans. Is China able to supply 5-6 squadrons or [80-96] of these J-8IIH/F Aircraft. Price/Cost would be the main factor should China arrange $800m-$900m and should there be any other detail in which China gets something to gain from N.K possible some economic deals.
This a hypothetical I am not advocating that China must sell equipment for War but from the perspective of modernization and upgrades to an ageing air force of N.K, US has been doing for ages thus it is fair for China to provide assistance. Thus it makes sense to replace all 4 Types with a single Type until Kim II comes to senses and focus more on economy.
Discuss and don’t Troll.
If moderators think the Thread belongs somewhere else it should be moved to appropriate Section.